Chapter 1: Could You Give Me a Ride?

Inside the upscale club, despite the air conditioning running at full blast, the stifling heat of the summer still lingered, refusing to be quelled.

When Song Yin left, the weather forecast had already warned of a heavy storm tonight.

Now, the rain was pouring down fiercely, accompanied by flashes of lightning and roaring thunder.

Yet inside this den of decadence, the boisterous music drowned out the thunderclaps outside.

Song Yin held her phone, her patience seemingly endless as she waited here.

She glanced at the time—it was just past one in the morning.

Yawning several times, the warmth inside made her feel drowsy.

Though she had doubted the source of the information before, she reminded herself that the person wouldn’t dare deceive her.

She decided to wait a little longer; she couldn’t afford to miss this chance.

Suddenly, a drunken man staggered toward her, his clumsy movements startling her. The overwhelming stench of alcohol made her frown.

She tried to avoid him, but he grabbed her by the shoulders, speaking lewdly, “Who are you here with? Such a beauty. Stay with me, and I’ll pay you…”

Song Yin struggled to push him away until a friend arrived to hold the man back.

Just as she was about to speak, her friend interjected, “Want to come with us? Spend the night with my brother.”

“I’m waiting for someone,” Song Yin replied firmly.

“Oh...” the friend cast a meaningful glance at her, then dragged the drunk man away. “Looks like the prize flower belongs to someone else. Brother, I’ll find you another. She’s not interested in us.”

Both men had mistaken her for a hired escort.

In this high-end club, everyone was either wealthy or noble. If she could hook up with the right person, her fortunes would change.

But Song Yin was indifferent.

She had her own purpose here.

Though dressed plainly, her face was stunningly beautiful. Occasionally, men would stop to admire her, but she would only say, “I’m waiting for someone.”

Another half hour passed, and Song Yin was ready to give up.

At that moment, a middle-aged man came down the stairs. His belly was round, and the large logo on his belt was especially conspicuous.

Song Yin immediately stood and approached him.

The man paused briefly, his gaze flickering elsewhere.

Song Yin quickly introduced herself, “My name is Song. I’m twenty-three.”

The man wasn’t drunk and seemed to understand immediately. His eyes hardened with suspicion and malice. “What do you want?”

Judging by his reaction, Song Yin figured he already knew who she was.

She spoke bluntly, “I’m here to ask for money.”

The man sneered, “Of course. What else would you want?”

He looked at her with disgust, preparing to leave. “I’ve already paid plenty. It was a one-time buyout. You won’t get any more from me.”

Song Yin took a gamble. “Your wife probably doesn’t know I exist. Maybe I should meet her?”

The man instantly grew angry, “Do you believe I can deal with you whenever I want?”

“Before you do, I’ll make sure your household is anything but peaceful.”

The man was about to strike when a figure approached.

A tall man, dressed in bespoke clothing far beyond Song Yin’s reach. He slipped one hand into his pocket with a casual, lazy air.

He glanced indifferently at the scene, and Song Yin couldn’t help but meet his deep, mysterious eyes.

Strangely, the chill emanating from him was far colder than the air-conditioning in the hall.

“Third Young Master…” The man beside Song Yin suddenly bowed humbly.

Song Yin guessed this was someone the other man dared not offend, so she seized the moment. “Give me three hundred thousand, and I’ll leave immediately. I won’t bother you.”

The man lowered his hand, unable to suppress his anger, forcing a smile toward the Third Young Master.

The Third Young Master’s tone was calm. “Sorry, President Lu, I’m just passing by and have no intention of eavesdropping. Please continue your conversation.”

“Safe travels, Third Young Master!” they bowed hastily to see him off.

As the Third Young Master passed beside Song Yin, a single sideways glance was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

Once he was gone, the man impatiently said, “Give me your card number. I’ll transfer the money tomorrow.”

“Do it now. I don’t want to delay.”

The man looked at her with peak disgust.

But Song Yin didn’t care.

She gave him her account. The man made a call.

The money arrived quickly.

The man warned, “Don’t let me see you here again. You know I don’t have much patience.”

Song Yin replied, “Rest assured, I’m even less inclined to see you again.”

As the man turned away, he added, “Life’s people are all the same kind of scum.”

Song Yin tightened her grip on her bag’s strap.

She took a deep breath and gave herself a faint smile of consolation. The goal was achieved.

Dignity wasn’t something that could buy a living.

She stepped out of the club into the heavy rain.

From her bag, she pulled out an umbrella and opened it.

The wind was so strong it nearly turned the umbrella inside out.

Song Yin clutched the handle tightly, her slight frame seeming as if it might be blown away at any moment.

No taxis were on the road. She opened a ride-hailing app, but no one accepted her request for several minutes.

Distracted, the umbrella was snatched away by the wind.

She struggled to grab it, but her hair was instantly drenched by heavy raindrops, leaving her utterly disheveled.

Frustrated, she let go. The umbrella spun several times on the ground, drifting farther away. She didn’t intend to retrieve it.

At her most vulnerable, she noticed a pair of eyes watching her from across the street.

The man was strikingly handsome, with an elegant and cold demeanor. Beautiful appearances always left a lasting impression—even for someone like Song Yin, who wasn’t usually concerned with looks.

Glancing at her phone one last time, no drivers had accepted her order.

Taking a breath, she dashed through the rain toward him.

Arriving at the car, she bent slightly and looked up at him. “Could you give me a ride?”

“I can pay you double the fare based on the distance.”